5 inspiring figures you probably didn’t know were diagnosed with autism

People with Autism Spectrum Disorders are still stereotyped as 'disabled' by many. But here's proof that being diagnosed with ASD or Asperger Syndrome can hardly stop them from accomplishing wonders. From science to silver screens, they have marked excellence in every sphere.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

The classical music period was reigned by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who solely composed 600 works, including operas, concertos and symphonies. Arguably the most ingenious composer and pianist of all time, Mozart was a child prodigy who possessed a perfect musical memory and incredible ability to read music from a very young age. Mozart wrote his first symphony when he was just eight.

Amidst these gifts, he displayed noticeable symptoms of ASD. His vulnerability to loud noises, repeated facial expression, obsession with new things with the lack of self-control- are suggestive of ASD. But that didn't stop Mozart from being one of the greatest musicians of all time.

Albert Einstein

Perhaps the most renowned and accomplished scientist in history, Einstein had difficulties in socialising from a very young age. As a child, he experienced speech delays and later echolalia (repetition or echoing of words and sounds). His criticality to technical points and troubled socialising have led experts to believe that he had ASD. Despite all that, he revolutionised our understanding of space, time, gravity and the universe by devising the Theory of Relativity.

Anthony Hopkins

The Academy Award-winner actor Sir Anthony Hopkins is proven to be a mastermind on the silver screen. His portrayal of a cannibalistic serial killer in The Silence of the Lambs is considered one of the most intriguing and acclaimed villains of all time.

He was diagnosed with Asperger's in 2014. The actor opened up about his condition, adding that he had a hard time socialising and was critical of details. But he considers his condition to be an essential contributing fact to his acting career. He has been a marvel on screen for his detailed and breathtaking performance in critical roles.

Temple Grandin

Dr Temple Grandin is one of the most accomplished and well-known personalities with ASD. She was named as one of the most influential people in the world in 2010 by Times Magazine. She is a professor of Animal Sciences and an active advocate for Autism awareness.

Emergence: Labelled Autistic, her book on the real insights of someone with autism is considered the first in the literary world. Dr Grandin was diagnosed with ASD at a young age and had speech difficulty with socialising apprehension. But this autistic savant continued her journey to be a professor of Animal Science and an inspiring autism-right-activist.

Satoshi Tajiri

Satoshi Tajiri is the creator of Nintendo's Pokemon franchise. Pokemon is one of the biggest pop culture obsessions from the last few decades and has rooted deep in our head and heart. But initially, it was a childhood hobby that was influenced by an autistic kid, Satoshi Tajiri, who was obsessed with collecting bugs.

Growing up, he created Game Freak, which started as a simple magazine and is now one of the world's best game development companies. Satoshi's imagination has become a worldwide obsession of children (and adults!) for the love of Pokemon.